U.S. Diplomat, John Campbell Dismisses Claims Of Military Victories Over Boko Haram


September 16, 2015 by ICIR


By Samuel Malik

Former US Ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell, has said that talks of victories by Nigerian troops against Boko Haram, must be taken with caution, even skepticism, especially with the difficulty in accessing the conflict zone by the media and members of the diplomatic community.

The diplomat noted also that in response to military action, the sect has displayed an ability to evolve new strategies of warfare such as using young girls as suicide bombers.

“The credibility of security service statements is not high. It is hard to confirm the Nigerian military’s claims of success as it is difficult for foreigners, including the diplomatic community and the media, to access the areas where Boko Haram traditionally operates in Nigeria,” Campbell stated.

Campbel observed that the military had in the past made exaggerated claims about its victories over the insurgency group.

“Military claims of success must be viewed with caution if not skepticism. Throughout the struggle between Boko Haram and the Nigerian state, beginning with the former’s re-emergence in 2011, security service spokesmen have made exaggerated claims of success.”

Recently, the military said several members of the sect have surrendered but Campbell, writing in the blog Africa in Transition, said the recent bomb attack at the Malkohi internally displaced persons camp in Yola, Adamaw state, showed that Boko Haram still poses serious security risk, despite its inability to take control of any territory again.

“Military spokesmen claim that large numbers of Boko Haram operatives are surrendering. They also cite military capture of Boko Haram arms, food, and even narcotics. On the other hand, Boko Haram terrorism continues, as documented by the Council on Foreign Relations’ Nigeria Security Tracker,” the former ambassador wrote.

Since President Muhammadu Buhari gave a marching order to service chiefs to end Boko Haram in three months, the military has frequently churned out statements of victories recorded against the group and the only information available even to the media comes from the defence spokespersons, with no way of verifying such claims.

The American diplomat also said the recent report of arrest of Boko Haram suspects in Katsina, Lagos and Enugu states, if confirmed, showed that notwithstanding the group’s dwindling membership, its determination to spread beyond its primary locations of Borno, Yobe and Adamwa cannot be underestimated.

President Buhari has made tackling insecurity a top priority and most of his foreign trips since coming to power have been to this end, with the President expected back to the country today from France, where he got President Francois Hollande’s promise of military assistance in tackling Boko Haram.

http://icirnigeria.org/u-s-diplomat-john-campbell-dismisses-claims-of-military-victories-over-boko-haram/

Hehehe! APC's fake propaganda backfires almost immediately. Truly, truly, America knows better.

Plus, where is our snake charmer of an army chief of staff? Does he think fighting Boko Haram is the same as consulting Senegalese (marabout) snake charmers for juju?

People will soon call him a Wailer.

The Nigerian army can't defeat anyone. They are not and were not designed to anyway. During a largely unarmed civilian region (Biafra), they could not do anything without British guidance and help, and probably as I think about it, perhaps British secret forces actually bombed and fought Biafra, but I digress.

The 9ja military is a colonial army designed to protect imperial interest in "Nigeria"- period. Any outbreak of war or violence cannot be overcome without aid from the same colonial authorities- thats why MEND is given amnesty, that's why Boko Haram may be given amnesty, that is why the current movement for Biafra is causing so many heads to spin because they know defeating Biafra in this modern age will be too challenging, and see, a Oyibo has called them out on their lies

Sai Buhari/ Sai stupidity

mensdept:
The Nigerian army can't defeat anyone. They are not and were not designed to anyway. During a largely unarmed civilian region (Biafra), they could not do anything without British guidance and help, and probably as I think about it, perhaps British secret forces actually bombed and fought Biafra, but I digress.

The 9ja military is a colonial army designed to protect imperial interest in "Nigeria"- period. Any outbreak of war or violence cannot be overcome without aid from the same colonial authorities- thats why MEND is given amnesty, that's why Boko Haram may be given amnesty, that is why the current movement for Biafra is causing so many heads to spin because they know defeating Biafra in this modern age will be too challenging, and see, a Oyibo has called them out on their lies

Sai Buhari/ Sai stupidity

It was clear the NA was not making any headway, otherwise the dullard would not be in France asking for help. How can you ask for help to defeat what you have already defeated? Makes no sense to me.

tayebest:
The stupiid people has started again!?

Go back to school, illiterate. It is ''have'', and not ''has''

I thought we are the only people observing it,they are deceiving the gullibles,we only hears the news when the military recaptures a place but we don't hear it when it was captured.all the media agencies in the nation have slowed down in their reportage about the insurgency.
Even mr buhari who criticised the previous govt. for their inability to rescue the chibok girls is now making arrangements to grant amnesty to the insurgents.what a country.all i know is that the truth can only be hidden for a whirl and not 4ever.

Ramnon2:

Go back to school, illiterate. It is ''have'', and not ''has''

You are notified!

Ramnon2:

Go back to school, illiterate. It is ''have'', and not ''has''

You are noted!

Ramnon2:


It was clear the NA was not making any headway, otherwise the dullard would not be in France asking for help. How can you ask for help to defeat what you have already defeated? Makes no sense to me.

This administration only tells the truth to European presidents while In their countries but they don't do same while in Nigeria and I really don't know why?

News: (2013). Nigerian troops committing war crimes in the NE- US government.

Wailers: US is the biggest problem the world faces today. They are sponsors of terrorist organisations including Boko Haram.

News: (2013). Boko Haram makes enormous gains against Nigerian troops, dozens of soldiers killed- US.

Wailers: They sit in Washington and know what's happening in Nigeria. God punish America!!

News: (2014). Boko Haram captures more towns in the North East- CIA.

Wailers: Why can't these people mind their own business?? What's their interest in our business?? US is Nigeria's number one enemy as they don't desire to see an end to Boko Haram crises thereby refusing to sell arms to us.

News: ( september 2015). US diplomat cautions against high optimism over reports from the battle front in the north east stating that it is difficult to verify claims made since the areas remain largely inaccessible.

Wailers: APC propaganda has blown in their faces!! Breeze don blow fowl nyash don open!! APC and lies, bread and butter. God bless US for always telling the truth no matter what.

Don't mind that Burutai that was talking out of so much excitement. I never took that to heart at all.

Propaganda Govt
Lie muha......d over to u

Ramnon2:
Hehehe! APC's fake propaganda backfires almost immediately. Truly, truly, America knows better.

if you can read and comprehend very well,what the diplomat said is a serious indictment on the military under Gej